Jeff Gordon
How does it feel to go from the kid to the old man on the tour? —Janeen Pickle, CYPRESS, CALIF.
I love what I've accomplished in this sport. If I knew then what I know now, I probably would have loosened up a little bit and shown a little more personality. I was trying to be what I thought people or my sponsors wanted me to be, trying to be too perfect.
What's it like to hear people booing you? —Gary Schubert STROUDSBURG, PA.
I've gotten so numb to it. I get more concerned when the cheers and boos aren't as loud. I learned that a long time ago when people were booing Dale Earnhardt. It's O.K. as long as they're making noise.
Will having Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a teammate cut down on the number of bottles and cans thrown at you when you win at Talladega this year? —Eric Mason GUNTERSVILLE, ALA.
I hope not I know NASCAR doesn't want me to encourage people throwing things, but I want his fans to be as passionate as they have been.
Why is it that some parts of the country support you and others don't? —Elizabeth Bradley, DENTON, MD.
In California, especially Northern California, the fans really cheer for me. In the Southeast, though, there are a lot of Earnhardt fans. My image lends itself a little bit more to the modern fan, sometimes more toward the kids, and I guess more toward the wine drinkers ... I mean, I have my own wine, and fans love to pull for people they relate to.
If Dale Earnhardt Jr. is in the lead for another win at Daytona, would you bump him and take out your team member? —Gary Smith UNION GROVE, WIS.
No. If I'm going to win, I'm go ing to try to race as cleanly as I can. I can't say there's not going to be bumping and some banging. Let's hope it's all the kind that gets you to the finish line still in one piece.
NASCAR seems to be shying away from core fans to go more mainstream. Is that a mistake? —Laura Eddy, GREENVILLE, S.C.
I don't think so. When you have a sport that's grown the way this sport has, you have to capitalize on it. The ticket prices could be a little less, though. We have to keep our fans watching not just at home on TV but here at the racetrack too. This is where you sell people on the speed and excitement of racing.
Why hasn't Formula One racing caught on in the U.S.? —Mat Smith, CARDIFF, WALES
I'm a huge fan, [but] I don't know if cool technology and exotic cars are as popular in the U.S. as in Europe. We want high scoring, lots of action. Soccer is one of the biggest sports in the world, but not in the U.S. I think a lot of people look at it as sort of boring.
What advice would you give to a young girl who wants to become a race-car driver? —Ellen Hayes, MIAMI
I never try to put anybody in a different category. It doesn't matter whether you're male or female. It's about starting young and getting into the best equipment and going out on all different types of tracks. In NASCAR, you don't have to be as physically strong as in some other forms of racing. You've just got to be able to endure the heat and endurance of it.
What is your favorite car--one that you bought? —Dennis Abplanalp DAYTON, OHIO
I love my Chevy Tahoe. Especially now with the baby, I need something to hold all my luggage. But I'll do some things to make it cool--lower it down, put some big wheels and tires on it, a nice sound system and blacked-out windows.
Your wife is taller than you. Has that ever made you self-conscious? —Rozzie Franco, ORLANDO, FLA.
Actually, she's not taller than me. Just with heels on, she's a lot taller. But you know what? She's beautiful, and I love it when she feels glamorous and beautiful. So it doesn't bother me. I know the truth.